Winding-stairs structure



June 1 J. VAN ROSSUM WINDING STAIRS STRUCTURE Filed June 15, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

1 1 5 ill" June 11, J; VAN RQSSUM' 1,716,713

WINDI'NG STAIRS STRUCTURE Filed June 15, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 1 NV EN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented June 11, 1929.

JOSEPH VAN ROSSUM, OF GRAND RAPIDS, liIIOI-IIGAN.

WINDING-STATES STRUCTURE.

Application filed June 15, 1925. Serial No. 3104s.

The present invention relates to winding stairs structures; and its object is to provide such a structure improved in various respects hereinafter appearing.

This object is attained by, and the invention finds preferable embodiment in, the structure hereinafter particularly described in the body of this specification and illustrated by the accoinpanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a winding stairs structure, the step treads being omitted in this view;

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of a collar whereby a step of the structure is supported;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the rear bracket of one of the steps;

r'igure 4 is a view in perspective of front bracket thereof;

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of a support for the outer end of a step;

Figure 6 is a plan View of a step tread;

Figure 7 is a view in perspective of one of the steps, the step tread being omitted;

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the supporting post or pipe of the structure and of the supportingcollar of one of the steps, taken on line 8-8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a like view of the same taken on line 9-9 of Figure 2; and

Figure 10 is a like view of the same taken on line 1010 of Figure 2.

In the embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration by the drawings and for detailed description in the body of this specification, a winding stairs structure, particularly adapted for use as a fire-escape, is shown, having a vertical hollow supporting post or pipe 1 and a series of helically-disposed stair steps carried thereby. Each of these steps comprises a sleeve or collar 2 embracing the post and having annular end flanges 3, 4, so that in assembling the steps the lower flange 4 of one step may rest on the upper flange 3 of the next step below. As shown, this collar is split and formed with radially extending flanges 5, 6. Each step comprises also brackets 7, 8 angularly disposed relatively to the supporting post and having their inner ends secured to the radial flanges 5, 6 of the collar; each step comprising also the support 9 for its outer end, whose lower front portion rests on the rear portion of the step below. These brackets and this support are preferably formed of sheet metal bent to form the parts or portions hereinafter described. The front bracket 7 has adjacent its upper edge 10 a the flange comprising spaced vertical portions 11, 12 and an inwardly extending portion forming a horizontal ledge or shelf 18 located below said upper edge; and the rear bracket 8 has adjacent its upper edge 14 a flange comprising spaced verticalportions 15, 16 and an inwardly ext-ending portion forming a horizontal ledge or shelf 17. These brackets have adjacent their lower edges gutters 19 and 20 respectively, extending longitudinally toward the supporting post and inclinedly downwardly, each gutter extending laterally inwardly or toward the other further than the ledges 13, 17 above them extend, in order to catch water dripping from said ledges and conduct the same toward the supporting post. The support 9 for the outer end of the step has a flange 21 extending upwardly to approximately the level of the upper edges 10,

14 of the brackets, then downwardly and then inwardly to form a horizontal ledge or shelf 22 connected adjacent its ends to the ledges 13, 1'? of the brackets, as by rivets 23 passing through the holes 24 in said parts. This support also has tongues 25, 26 extending between the portions 15, 16 and 11, 12 of the brackets flanges and secured thereto as by rivets 27, 28 passing through the holes 29, 20. This support 9 rests at its lower front edge on the rear part of the next step below, being secured thereto by a baluster 31 secured to the support as by rivets 32 passing through the holes 33, 34 and having its lower end bent to pass through a recess 35 in the support and perfo ated at 36 to receive a rivet 37 for thus securing it in position.

One of the radial flanges, 6, of the collar or sleeve 2 is split at 38 to form an upper portion 6 which is embraced by the inner ends of the portions 15, 16 of the rear brackets flange, one of said portions 16 being embraced by radial flange 5 and the upper part 6 of the other radial flange 6, (as seen in Figure 9), these parts being securely connected as by a rivet 40 passing through the holes 41, 42. The brackets are secured between the collars radial flange 5 and the lower part 6 of the other radial flange 6 as by rivets 43 passing through holes 44 and 45; and the ledges 13, 17 of the brackets are secured together as by rivets 46 passing through the holes 47, 48.

a The step tread 50 of the step is seated on the ledges 13, 17 22 and extends to approximately the level of the brackets upper edges 10, 14, being held in place as by screw hooks 51, 52 engaging in the recesses 53, 54 and passing downwardly through said ledges. These step treads are desirably tormedo'l flat bars 55 disposed angularly relatively to the post 1 and edge up as shown. These bars are connected by rods 56 passing therethrough and carrying spacing members 57 between adjacent bars. The supporting pipe 1 may comprise a section 1 provided with a valved vent 59, so that this pipe may serve as a stand pipe "for fire protection. The short collar 2 rests on the upper edge of this pipe section.

The invention being intended to be pointed out in the claims, is not to be limited to or by details of construction of any particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings or hcreinbe'tore described.

I claim:

1. In a winding stairs structure, a step ceinprising: a collar; a pair of bra lccts angularly disposed, secured at their inner ends to the collar and having mutually-approaching horizontal ledges below their upper edges; a step tread seated on the ledges.

2. In a winding stairs structure, a step comprising: a pair of brackets angularly disposed, secured at their inner ends to the collar and havin mutually-approaching horizontal ledges below their upper edges, at l met one or the brackets having a gutter below its ledge and extending laterally nearer the other bracket than said ledge extends and being longitudinally inclined downwardly toward the collar; a step tread seated on the ledges.

8. In a winding stairs structure, a step comprising: a collar; a pair of brackets angularly disposed, secured at their inner ends to the collar and having adjacent their upper edges flanges comprising spaced vertical portions; a support for the outer end ot the step having tongues secured between said portions ot the flanges respectively; a step tread carried by the brackets.

l. In a winding stairs structure, a series 03!? steps, each comprising: a collar; a pair of brackets angularly disposed, secured at their inner ends to the collar and having adjace'nt their upper edges flanges comprising spaced vertical portions; a support for the outer end of the step having tongues secured between said portions oi? the flanges respectively; a step tread carried by the brackets; a baluster secured to said support and extending thereunder to a point of attzuihment to the step below.

5. In awinding stair structure. a step comprising: a collar; a pair of brackets angularly disposed, secured at their inner ends to the collar and having adjacent their upper edges flanges comprising spaced vertical portions and inwardly extending portions torn)- iing horizontal ledges below the upper edges of the brackets; a support for the outer nd of the step having an inwardiy extending flange secured adjacent its cues to the ledges of the brackets, and tongues secured between said portions of the brackets flanges respectively; a step tread seated on the ledges oi the brackets.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Grand Rapids, Michigan, this 9th day of June, 1925.

JOSEPH VAN ROSS'Ulti. 

